The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-12-22
A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

LEAF gladdens the hearts of its admir-
ing readers, an event will have trans
pired the annual recurrence of which
has gladdened all Christian hearts and
awakened therein feelings Of reverence
and alteration for more than eighteen
hundred years. 1t is hardly worth
while to say that we have reference to
the anniversary of our blessed Lord
and Savior, which is recognized and
observed throughout the civilized
world as the greatest of all holiday
festivals.
Christmas! What train of happy
thoughts is awakened in every childish
heart at the very mention of the name!
How it thrills and fills them with de-
light Yes, the merry Christmas is
near at hand, when happiness and in
noccnt mirth will rule the hour.
" Peace on earth, good will towards
men," sang the angels to the watch
ing shepherds nearly two thousand
years ago, and the echo of that glad
refrain has never quite died out in our
hearts. The teachings of the noblest
Man appeal more wildly to US,
brought face to face with them on the
anniversary Of His birth, and we make
anew our resolutions and forgive as
we would be forgiven.
The GOLD LEAF presents the COM
pliments of the season to its friends
and patrons everywhere, and wishes
for them all Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year. AS the Wilson
Mirror beautifully and feelingly says ::
A bright, merry joyous Christmas
to ALTO rich and poor, to high and
low, to all the children of men, we
say "peace on earth, and good will to
ALL" Amen. And how shall we make
it bright and joyous? By simply
throwing wide open the door of the
heart, and letting some of the golden
sunlight of charity creep out, and
warm and cheer up those upon whom
the SHOWS of misfOrtune's winter are
now falling SO furiously. Let us re-
solve that we will make one person
happy this blessed day, and print upon
some countenance the lovely type of
that blessed goodness which Christ
taught in His ministry on earth. There
are many at our very doors who are
shiverlng in want, and to whom a
q Merry Christmas brings no bread,
and finds no hearth-stones cheered by
the presence of happy faces. How
many dear little ones who shall be
overlooked by the accustomed rounds
of Santa Claus, who have not even
tiny stockings to hang up for the toy
or the sweet morsel which other chill
dren have oreamt over for weeks, and
behold with sparkling eyes as they
recount the wondrous treasures of the
Christmas season How opportunc,
then, this glorious day, to pour balm
into the wounds Of all, and especially
SO for Christians who can go from
house to house doing good in His name
who can with healing on His wings
and a hope that passeth not away, to
all the sons of men. Yes, who healed
the sick, fed the hungry, and whose
very garments as they were touched
sent thrill Of hope and health to all
who looked unto Him as their Christ
and Lord. Let US remember His ex-
ample, relieve the Care-burden, lift up
the dropping heart, fling sunshine amid
the clouds, and help the needy. And
then Christmas will be a season Of
rejoicing, and will inhale the perfume
of that precious flower Of charity which
blossomed into fullest bloom on that
December night, when even the An
gels shouted over Judean hills the
glorious tidings of "peace on earth,
and good will to men," Amen.
! And commencing on this hallowed
day of cheer and good will to all man
, kind let us all resolve that each fol-
lowing day shall be beautiful repeti-
t!on of this blessed anniversary, and
that we will live nearer to Him by
| doing some act of kindness and good
ness for those less fortunate than our
selves. Let us 60 not only to day but
each day to some one who is depressed
and heartsick, and weary with trials
and burdens, and ii we cannot entirely
relieve let us lend 4 helping hand
) and whisper word of encouragement
let us throw a CLEAN of sunshine o'e,
the wlntry waste of their icy pathway
let lis scatter some flowers of hope
; amid the scorching sands of their dry
Sahara of disappointment; let US
make them feel that there are hearts
which vibrate at their touch of sor-
row and suffering, and that streams OF
sympathy are flowing for their healing.
Let us do some good each day, and
: when we descend the hill of time, and
pass under the hoarv tree of old age
we will hear amid its leafless branches
the tuneful birds of happiest memories
singing their sweetest songs to deaden
the roar OF the river of death, and all
} of our acts of kindness to each other
will rise up and glisten upon the vision